As Brendan Shanahan was being reminded that he has no experience in his new post, he reminded folks of the one he just left.

“I had a job in which everyone questioned my decisions,” he said of running the highly charged NHL Department of Player Safety. “Everybody thought they knew better than us and they second-guessed us. So now I get to come and do this.”

That elicited some laughs from the media pack who surrounded him after the formal part of his intro as new Maple Leafs president. While agreeing he has lots of catching up to do in the coming weeks, he also knows the fan pressure and media exposure will become as much of his daily routine as fighting T.O.’s rush-hour traffic.

“There are certain similarities (to the NHL DPS). Having a plan, surrounding yourself with really good people and making sure they feel fulfilled. Not that you’re not going to make mistakes."